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A harder, more technical loop that can be added on the Phil's loop.


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Map Key

5.4

Miles

8.7

KM

Singletrack

6,617' 2,017 m

High

6,453' 1,967 m

Low

351' 107 m

Up

354' 108 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Description

The Stinking Springs Loop goes left off of the main Phil's loop just before dropping into the Rib Cage and loops back in to the same spot so you don't miss anything. Stinking Springs starts with a very gradual climb through sagebrush on smooth singletrack with great views of the LaPlata mountains. Shortly after reaching the "Pinnacle" you'll drop into an extremely fun descent known as the Vertebrae. Vertebrae has big banked turns, jumps and some fast straights.

At the end of Vertebrae, you'll do a mildly technical descent of the Moki downhill followed by a short grind up the Moki climb which can feel pretty tough after all of the descending. After the climb, the trail rolls and drops slightly to a section of mixed singletrack and slickrock known as the Rim. The Rim is bumpy and rocky but doesn't have any extreme technical riding. This section eats tires and causes tons of pinch flats for those running tubed tires. Relief from the rim comes as you drop off the other side into flowing singletrack again that leads to Stoneaxe hill which is a tough but short climb.

Shortly after Stoneaxe there is a technical, ledgy drop that has gotten pretty ugly with multiple lines developing. Straight down the middle is still the line of choice. Some smooth, fast trail leads you slightly uphill back to the junction with the main Phil's trail just where you drop into the Ribcage.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jeff Fox with improvements by Sheldon Baker and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 26 votes

#1

in Phil's World

#510

Overall
  4.5 from 26 votes
5 Star
65%
4 Star
23%
3 Star
12%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Phil's World

#156

in Colorado

#510

Overall
10 Views Last Month
2,568 Since Nov 20, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
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26%
30%
43%
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Photos

Rib Cage
Jul 24, 2014 near Cortez, CO
Highlights of Phil's World - Stuff by Poquito Burrito
Sep 9, 2020 near Cortez, CO
Phil's World is an amazing bike spot with so many routes to choose from. I rode this in May 2021; completely dry trails, riding on mostly rock and dirty. This day was fast, smooth up and downhill with blue skies!
Mar 6, 2022 near Cortez, CO
Time for some Ribs! Rib Cage loop can be done multiple times and is highly recommended!
Jul 29, 2013 near Cortez, CO
Rib Cage! One Awesome flow trail with some drops.
Jun 28, 2017 near Cortez, CO

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